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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994/01/31 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA January 31, 1994 111 1. Call to order Mayor Pro Tem Friedman called the meeting to order at 7 :00 p.m. Present were Councilmembers Jeff Jacobs, Gail Dorfman, Ron Latz, and Robert Young. Staff present included City Manager Charlie Meyer, Cris Gears (Parks & Recreation Director) , Jim Grube (Director of Public Works) , Rod Walker (Police Captain) , Loren Kramer (Police Sergeant) , Doug Langefels (Nature Center Manager) and Jon Parker (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) . 2 . Deer Management Parks & Recreation Director Cris Gears gave City Council an overview of the current public sentiment of the neighborhoods around the Nature Center. Mr. Gears also gave an update on the annual survey of the population in parts of the City. He concluded by restating the City staff ' s recommendation is the same as the Deer Management Task Force ' s recommendation of thinning the deer herd through baiting and shooting. City Manager Charlie Meyer stated that the reason a request was made to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to clarify that department ' s position on trap and transfer was that their had been conflicting information about whether or not this method would be permitted. The DNR forwarded their response to the City Monday afternoon, January 31st . The DNR' s response is that they would not permit trap and transfer. Councilmember Young summarized the sentiment of the Westwood area residents: a. Reduce the herd to a manageable level b. Do everything possible to avoid lethal destruction of the deer herd He stressed the need that once the deer herd has been reduced to a manageable level, there is a need to keep the herd at that level by: a. Educating citizens b. Using repellents c. Fencing Mr. Young further stated that if trap and transfer as a first choice to thin the herd is not permitted by the DNR, then shoot over bait would be an acceptable alternative to the Westwood area residents. Mr. Young also discussed the neighbor' s interest of using the contraceptive method by 1995, if and when it becomes available. • Councilmember Jacobs asked the type of shoot over bait method to' be used. Captain Walker stated that bait sites would be located in remote parts of the Nature Center and that a shot gun with slugs may be used instead of a rifle if it ' s more effective. 111 Jacobs expressed interest in coordinating with neighboring communities to ensure that once the deer herd has been thinned more do not migrate from the other areas or cities. Edina and Golden Valley have both expressed interest in coordinating their efforts with St . Louis Park. In response to a question by Councilmember Latz, Mr. Gears stated that the optimum number of deer at the Nature Center should be 6- 10 . The intent is to keep about 20 of the 51 that are in the Nature Center and in the immediate area of the Nature Center. Mr. Parker said the shoot over bait program would run from January to late March. Mr. Gears stated that staff would keep an accurate count of the number of deer taken, how many would remain and where they are located within the Nature Center. Councilmember Latz felt it prudent to wait until the contraceptive method becomes available before the City Council named a policy decision to use it without knowing the costs and the side effects on the deer. He felt it necessary not to raise expectations about its potential use now only for this method to be reconsidered by City Council at a later date. City Manager Charlie Meyer stated that the consensus from all parties is that the deer herd must be managed and maintained over time and not allow the herd to get out of control again. Mr. Meyer further stated that time is becoming tight to respond to the issue and that the City Council needs to make a decision soon in order to implement the intended action. 3 . City Hall Remodeling - 1st Floor Mr. Meyer gave a summary and overview of the reason for the project . The original budget for remodeling the 2nd floor and lower level of City Hall was $400, 000 and that was reduced to $200, 000 because of budget constraints anticipated for 1994 . The $200, 000 currently in the 1994 budget will be enough to only remodel the lower level of City Hall . Remodeling of the 2nd floor will be considered in the 1995 budget and will be brought back to City Council at a later date after the management study of Inspectional Services and Community Development has been completed and accepted by Council . The physical plan for 2nd floor will evolve around the organization plan to be developed for Inspectional Services and Community Development . Councilmember Friedman felt that the project should be bid as one - 1st floor and 2nd floor together and phased in over time . In this way the 1995 budget would carry the $200, 000 currently in the 1994 budget and add another $200, 000 in 1995 for a total budget of $400, 000 for remodeling of the 1st floor and 2nd floor during 1995 . It was the City Manager' s preference to proceed with the renovation of 1st floor as proposed in staff ' s memo. Towards that end, staff will return to City Council February 7 with more cost detail . 4. Water Tower Size The City Manager distributed a summary of the current City water supply. Mr. Grube displayed the City' s current water supply and distribution system. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to bring the issue to Council for action at its regular meeting on February 7th. 5. Other Business Mr. Meyer informed Council that : a. He planned to have the Excelsior Boulevard Streetscape consultant at the February 7 Study Session to get Council consensus on the plan and process. b. The Request For Proposal (RFP) for the Inspectional Services/Community Development Management Study will be mailed to 13 consultants on February 1 . c. The Historical Society has requested that framed photographs of Mayors be hung on the north wall of the Council Chambers. Staff will assist the coordination of this with the Historical Society. d. Wayside House Water Line Break - Staff was directed to place this item on the February 7th agenda meeting for action. 6 . Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9 :20 p.m. Mayor Pro T Friedman 1, &AA l14- ilecording Secretary